Hanoi, September 21 (VNA) – National Assembly Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee (VPC) Uong Chu Luu has affirmed that protecting peace and security is a top goal of Vietnam.

He made the statement during an international seminar in Hanoi on September 21 featuring the role of peace in promoting and protecting human rights.

Co-hosted by the VPC of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMNAP)’s Institute of Human Rights Studies, the event was held on the occasion of World Peace Day (September 21) initiated by the United Nations in 1981 and marked for the first time in September 1982.

Luu said human rights are noted in many legal documents in Vietnam, including the Constitution 2013.

Amid rising conflicts and violences, terrorism and non-traditional security risks, Vietnam is fully aware that in any historical period and for any country, peace is a prerequisite to ensure human rights, he said.

Dr. Eakpant Pindavanija from the Thai University of Mahidol’s Research Institute of Human Rights and Peace said studies on social changes will pave the way for the understanding of socio-economic development and devise long-term strategies to prevent social violence-sparked conflicts.

VPC Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Huynh said in order to ensure the right to peace, nations and people must ensure the rights to development and freedom of labour and creativity.

Participants touched discussions on challenges to global peace and security, disarmament, and peace and human rights for Orange Agent victims.